How would you identify a limiting reagent in a chemical reaction?

1 Answer
Nov 8, 2015

Go through the mole!

Explanation:

When you are given the masses of the reactants, you need to convert them into moles.

For example:
HCl + NaOH -> H2O + NaCl

we have 2.3 grams of HCl and 3.5 grams of NaOH.
First we must go through the mole

2.3 g HCl x 1 mole HCl = 0.0630 mol HCl
36.46 g HCl

3.5 g NaOH x 1 mole NaOH = 0.0875 mol NaOH
40 g NaOH

As you can see, there is less moles of HCl than NaOH, therefore the HCl will run out first, making it the limiting reagent.